BLS: 288,000 Jobs Added in June; 6,000 in Construction

Although last month's job growth is above average for the past three months, the construction industry experienced a second month of stunted growth.

The U.S. economy added 288,000 jobs in June, according to the initial numbers reported today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is above the past three months’ average job growth of 272,000.

Employment in June rebounded after May's dip, when the economy added 224,000 jobs. May's numbers were upwardly revised from the initially-reported 217,000 jobs.

The construction industry continued took a hit for the second month. The industry added 6,000 jobs in June—a decrease from the 9,000 in May and a significant reduction from the 36,000 in April. These numbers do not align with yesterday’s report from ADP and Moody’s Analytics, which stated that the rise in the number of construction jobs last month represents the highest increase in the industry in over eight years.

Manufacturing added 16,000 jobs last month. This is an increase from the upwardly revised figures from May (11,000) and April (9,000)—initially reported as 10,000 and 4,000, respectively.

Architectural and engineering services added 7,200 jobs last month. This is a jump from May’s revised growth of 5,4000 jobs and April’s 5,700.

Within the construction industry, residential building rebounded with last month’s growth of 4,500 jobs—up from the revised loss of jobs in May. Nonresidential building added 2,100 jobs in June—a slight increase from May’s 1,000. Specialty trade contractors took hits this month, but for nonresidential contractors, it meant another month of jobs lost.

Charts: Maggie Goldstone; Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that last month's job growth, not total employment, is above average for the past three months. The headline has also been updated to report that 6,000 jobs were added in construction, not 16,000.

Caroline Massie is an assistant editor of business, products, and technology at ARCHITECT and Architectural Lighting. Follow her on Twitter at @caroline_massie.

About the Author

Caroline Massie is an assistant editor of business,
products, and technology at ARCHITECT and Architectural Lighting. She received a bachelor’s degree in
American Studies and English from the University of Virginia. Her work has also
appeared in The Cavalier Daily, Catalyst, Flavor, The Piedmont Virginian, and
Old Town Crier. Follow her on Twitter at @caroline_massie.